Bottle washer



May 30, 1933. A. E. LADEwlG ET AL 1,911,370

BOTTLE WASHER Filed Feb. 17, 1930 Patented May 30, 1933 UNITED STATESPATENT oFFIcE ARCI-IIE E. LADEWIG AND GEORGE F. SOELCH, F WAUKESHA,WISCONSIN BOTTLE WASHER Application led February 17, 1930. Serial No.428,888.

The present invention relates in general to improvements in the art ofcleansing receptacles, and relates more specifically to an improvedapparatus for automatically and effectively Washing, sterilizing andrinsing a succession of milk bottles or the like.

A general object of the invention is to provide new and usefulimprovements in the art of cleaning milk bottles or the like,

whereby a singlea compact machine may be utilized to automatically andeffectively clean a succession of the receptacles, regardless of thenature of the impurities deposited thereon.

It has been common practice in the prior art of bottle washing, toutilize either one of tu'o Well known types of machines for the purposeof internally cleansing the bottles. These types may for referencepurposes be designated as the spray machine and the brush machine, inboth of which the bottles may be loaded and unloaded either at the'sameor at opposite ends of the machine, depending upon the selected design.In the spray machine, the bottles after having been immersed Within andthus subjected to the soaking action of a suitable solution such as hotcaustic soda for the purpose of initially loosening the dirt, aresubjected internally to the action of spray jets for the purpose offinally removing the loose impurities. W'hile this particular type ofmachine is relatively effective When treating bottles coated Withordina-ry grit, it is not efficient in the treatmentof receptaclescoated with oily or greasy substances. .In the brush machine, thebottles are like- Wise initially subjected to the soaking action of hotcaustic soda or the like, but are subsequently internally subjected tothe cleansing actionmof rotary or otherwise movable brushes. Althoughthis particular type of machine is effective for the purpose ofloosening and partially removing oil and grease, when the brushes arenew or perfectly clean, the greasy substances soon accumulate upon thebrushes in sufficient quantities to prevent the brushes alone fromeffecting the desired final cleansing. Even jet Washing followed bybrush Washing, either With or Wit-hout initial soaking, will not insureproper removal of filth from receptacles such as milk bottles. Milkbottles in particular, are frequently put to manyuses other than thatfor which they are intended, and 'the problem of thoroughly cleansingsuch bottles prior to refilling the same with milk, is eX- tremelydifficult.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide asingle relatively simple and compact machine Which is adapted torapidly, automatically and effectively clean milk bottles or the like.In accordance with the present improvement, the successive bottles aresubjected to bothl brush :1nd jet cleansing in a manner whereby allfilth is most effectively removed. The invention provides for initialremoval of greasy substances by soaking and subsequent brush cleansing,and also provides for final removal of the remaining dirt by furthersoaking and subsequent jet Washing. In accordance with the improvement,the bottles may be admitted and discharged either at the same oropposite ends of the single machine wherein complete cleansing iseffected. The bottles may be transported several times along the samepath by the same transporting mechanism, and are treated each time forthe removal of filth deposits having different characteristics andrequiring different methods of treatment for their removal, thusinsuring thorough cleansing.

Some of the novel features of bottle Washer structure disclosed but notspecifically claimed herein, form the subject of copending applicationsSerial No. 179,424, filed March 30. i927: Serial No. 23S-37,312. filedFebruary 4, i925); and Serial No.y 337,313, filed l `el ruary 4, 1929.

A clear conception of the details of construction of one type of milkbottle washer embodying the present improvement, may be had b vreferring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of thisspecification in u hich the various parts have been designated bysuitable reference characters. y

The single figure of the drawing is a somewhat diagrammatic longitudinalvertical section `through a milk bottle Washing machine of the typewherein the successive bottles are loaded and unloaded at the same endof the machine. It is to be understood, however, that the invention isnot confined to this particular/typed washer, and is in fact capable ofmore general application.

The machine lillustrated in the drawing comprises in general, a mainhousing or casing 2 having a soaking liquid basin 31 in the lowerportion thereof; an endless series comprising an odd number oftransverse rows of bottle carriers or pockets 3 intermittently movableby equal steps along a closed circuit within the casing 2; loading andunloadingl mechanism located at the same end of the casing 2, fordelivering milk bottles 30 or the like to and from the successivecarrier pockets 3; a plurality of nozzles 24, 25, 26, 29 formed todeliver jets of cleansing fluid into the interiors of bottles 30supported by the holders or pockets 3; a scrubbing device or brushes 27movable into and out of and rotatable within bottles 30 supported by thecarrier pockets 3; and mechanism :t'or automaticall@ actuating ordriving the various movable j lements ot' the structure.

The main casing 2 may be supported upon adjustable jacks 10 for properlyalining the casing, and the soaking basln 31 is preferably supplied withliquid such as caustic soda solution which may be heated by means ofsteam admitted to a coil extending through the liquid, as shown. Locatedwithin the basin 31, is a horizontal bottle retaining plate 9 whichserves to maintain the bottles 30 Within the pockets 3 passing directlyover the plate and through the solution, and the plate 9 may be providedwith an upwardly extending end wall 17 at the rear of the casing.

The endless series of transverse rows of pockets 3 are secured to thelinks of endless chains 7 having carrier rollers 8 coacting with tracksfastened to the opposite sides of the casing 2, the series beingintermittently movable along these tracks by means of an oscillatorylatch 14 which is cooperable with alternate rollers 8 so as to advancethe series a distance equal to double the distance between successiverows, during each forward throw of the latch 14. As vpreviouslyindicated, the lower run of the endless series of rows of pockets 3, is'immersed and movable within the soaking solution in the basin 31, andthe upper run of the series, is movable forwardly some distance abovethe lower run, but still entirelywithin the casing 2. Located within thecasing 2 between the upper and lower runs of the series of pockets 3, isa set ot auxiliary liquid drainage basins 18, 19, 41 adapted to catch-liquid which drops from the inverted bottles during spray washing andrinsing thereof by the nozzles 24, 26, 29 respectively, and an inclinedplate 20 for protecting the finally cleansed bottles 30 from fumesrising from the soaking basin 31. The basins 19, 41 are connected by ahorizontal tube 41 for permitting free drainage of liquid from the basin41 into the basin 19.

The nozzles 24, 25, 26, which are shown diagrammatically only, may be ofany of the well known types customarily used in machines of thischaracter', and are adapted to deliver jets of cleansing fluid into theinteriors of all of the bottles 30 being transported thereabove by theupper run of the conveyor.

Located above each set of spray nozzles .24, 25, 26 and above the upperconveyor run, 1s a series of spray devices 21, 22, 23, these devicesbeing adapted te spray the exteriors of all of the bottles 30 beingtransported therebelow by the upper run of the conveyor. The finalrinsing nozzles 29 cooperate with a set of external spray devices 28disposed thereabove, to internally and externally rinse the bottles 3()being transported by alternate rows of pockets 3 of the series, prior tofinal delivery thereot` from the machine. The complementary sets ofspray devices 21, 23, 28 and nozzles 24, 26, 29, may be supplied withcleansing liquid from the basins 18, 19, 41 located directlytherebeneath, and the liquid after leaving the bottles 30 will drainback into the respective basins for reutilization.

The scrubbing devices or brushes 27 are movable upwardly into theinverted bottles 30 only during their first transportation through theendless circuit, and after the first immersion thereof in the liquid ofthe basin 31. The brushes 27 are vertically reciprocable by means of oneor more levers 39 operable by means of connections 42 driven from asuitable power source, and having adjustable counter balancing Weightsassociated therewith. lVhile the brushes 27 are cooperating with theinteriors of the bottles from beneath, the bottles 30 are being heldwithin their respective transporting pockets 3 by means of plungers 36coacting with the upper ends of the bottles. These plungers 36 areresiliently restrained, and are operable by means of one or more levers35, to automatically resiliently clamp the bottles within the pockets 3when the brushes 27 are elevated, and to subsequently release thebottles when the brushes 27 are lowered. The brushes 27 may be rotatedabout their own axes while within the bottles, in order to enhance thescrubbing action, and cleansing liquid from the basin 19 may beinjected-into the bottles while the brushes are operating therein, bymeans of movable nozzles which are moved with the brushes by levers 38and connections 37.

The dirty bottles 30 before being delivered into the alternate rows ofempty pockets 3 by means of an automatic loading mechanism 33, arepre-rinsed by means of fluid injection nozzles 32. The finally cleansedbottles contained-in the alternate rows of pockets 3, after having beensubjected to tinal rinsing by the spray devices 28 and nozzles 29, aredelivered from these pockets by means of push arms 15 carried byoscillatory arms 16. The push arms 15 unload the clean bottles 3() ontorighting mechanism 34 which delivers the bottles to a transverseconveyor. The loading and unloading mechanisms which are located at thesame end of the machine, are automatically operable by means of cammechanism 5 driven through chain gearing from the same shaft whichactuates the brushes 27. A single electric motor 4 may be utilized todrive gearing 11 for driving the loading and unloading mechanism,` thebrush mechanisms, and a crank 12 for imparting motion through aconnecting rod 6 and arm 13 to the conveyor actuating latch 14previously referred to.

During normal operation of the improved bottle washer, the dirty bottles3() after having been pre-rinsed, are loaded into the alternate rows ofempty pockets 3 as they are presented in line with the loading mechanism33. The loaded pockets 3 are then submerged in the soaking liquid in thebasin 31 thereby initially loosening the dirt. The bottles areeventually inverted and presented to initial external and internal sprayand jet washing by the devices 21, 22, 23 and nozzles 2l, 25, 2G. Theinitially washed bottles are next subjected to internal scrubbing by thebrushes 27, whereupon they are transported past the devices 28, thenozzles 29 and the unloading and loading mechanisms, and are returned tothe soaking basin 31 for a second treatment therein.

After the second removal of the partially washed bottles 3() from thebasin 31, they are again subjected to external and internal washing bythe devices 21, 22, 23 and nozzles 2l, 25, 26. Upon leaving the lastsetof devices 23 and nozzles 2G, the bottles are transported past the brushmechanism without being subjected to scrubbing, and are next presentedto external and internal final rinsing by the devices 28 and nozzles 29,

whereafter the clean bottles are unloaded and the empty pocketsimmediately re-loaded with dirty bottles.

Due to the use of an odd number of rows of pockets 3, and mechanismwhich advances the rows double the distance between successive rows,during each advancement, all bottles admitted to the machine, musttravel twice around the circuit and be subjected to all of the foregoingcleansing steps. All varieties of dirt and filth are thus effectivelyremoved, and the bottles are discharged in perfectly clean and sterilecondition. The machine is obviously extremely com act and has thoroughlydemonstrated its aiiilit to thoroughly cleanse a large number of ottlcsin a minimum period of time'without danger of breakage of the bottles.The advantages ot both the spray and brush types of machines, aresecured in a single machine which occupies no greater Hoor space thaneither of the prior types, and the invention can obviously be applied tomachines in which loading and unloading is effected either at the sameor opposite ends of the washer. The entire operation of the machine isautomatic and requires minimum expenditure ot' power.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention tothe precise details of construction ofthe machine here- -in shown anddescribed, for obvious modifi rations may occur to persons skilled inthe art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent 1. In combination,an intermittently driven endless conveyor having an odd number ofsuccessive rows of bottle carrier pockets forming superimposedoppositely moving stretches along which bottles are successivelytransportable, a casing forming a liquid basin through which the bottlesare carried by the lower conveyor stretch, brush means cooperable onlywith alternate pocket rows duringl periods of rest of the conveyor Jforscrubbing the interior of some of the bottles while traversing the upperconveyor stretch, spray means cooperable during the same conveyor cycleonly with the intermediate pocket rows during periods of rest of theconveyor for delivering liquid against the interior of others of thebottles while traversing another portion of the upper conveyor stretch,and means for actuating said conveyor to successively advance saidpockets by steps equal to twice the distance between rows so as tosubject. the bottles to initial soaking within said basin, to the actionof said brush means, to final soaking within said basin, and to theaction of said spray means.

2. In combination, an intermittently driven endless conveyor having anodd number of successive rows of bottle carrier pockets.

forming superimposed oppositely moving stretches along which bottles aresuccessively transportable, a casing forming a liquid basin throughwhich bottles are carried by the lower conveyor stretch, spray meanscooperable with all pocket rows for delivering washing liquid againstthe interior of all bottles while traversing one portion of the upperconveyor stretch, brush means cooperable during each conveyor cycle onlywith alternate pocket rowsI during periods of rest of the conveyor forscrubbing the interior of some of the bottles while traversing anotherportion of the upper conveyor stretch, other spray means coopcrableduring the same. conveyor cycle only with the, intermediate pocket rowsduring` periods of rest of the conveyor for delivering rinsing liquidagainst the interior of other bottles while traversing still anotherportion of said upper conveyor stretch, and means for actuating saidconveyor to successively advance said pockets by steps equal to twicethe distance between rows so as to subject the bottles to initialsoaking within said basin, to the action of said washing` spray meansand brush means, to filial soaking within said basin, and to the actionof said washing spray means and rinsingl spray means.

3. In combination, an intermittently driven endless conveyor having anodd number of successivel rows oi? bottle carrier pockets formingsuperimposed stretches along which bottles are successivelytransportable in opposite directions, a casing forming a liquid basinthrough which the bottles are carried in upright position by the lowerconvenor stretch, brush means cooperable only with alternate pocket rowsduring periods otrest of the conveyor for scrubbing the interior ofisome of the bottles while inverted and disposed upon the upper conveyorstretch, spray means cooperable during ihc same conveyor cycle only withthe intermediate pocket rows during periods oi? rest of the conveyor fordelivering liquid against the interior of others of the bottles whileinverted and disposed upon another portion of the upper conveyorstretch, and means for actuating said conveyor by steps equal to twicethe distance. between rows so as to successively subject the bottleswhile at rest to initial soaking within `said basin, to the action ofsaid brush ,means` to linal soaking within said basin, and to the actionof said spray means.

4. In combination, an intermittently driven endless conveyor having anodd number of successive rows ot bottle carrier, pockets formingsuperimposed oppositcly moving stretches alongwhich bottles aresuccessively transportable, a casing .forming a liquid basin throughwhich the bottles are carried in upright position by the lower conveyorstretch, spray means cooperable with all pocket rows ior deliveringwashing liquid against the interior oi' all ot' the successive bottleswhile inverted and disposed upon one portion ot' the upper conveyorstretch, crush means cooperable during each conveyor cycle only withalternate pocket rows during periods ot rest of the conveyor forscrubbing the interior of some of the bottles while inverted anddisposed upon another portion of the upper conveyor stretch, other spraymeans cooperable during the same conveyor cycle only with said.intermediate pocket rows during periods of rest of the conveyor fordelivering rinsing liquid against the interior of other bottles whileinverted and disposed upon still another portion of said upper conveyorstretch, and means for actuating said conveyor step by step and byincrements equal to twice the distance between rows so as tosuccessively subject the bottles while at rest to initial soaking withinsaid basin, to the action of said washing spray means and brush means,to final soaking within said basin, and lto the action ot said washingspray means and rinsing spray means.

6. In combination, an intermittently driven endless conveyor having anodd number of successive rows of bottle carrier pockets forming upperand lower oppositely moving stretches along which bottles aresuctaissively transportable, a casing having 'therein a liquid basinthrough which the bottles are carried by the. lower conveyor stretch,brush means cooperable with alternate pocket rows during periods of restof the. conveyor for scrubbing the interior of the bottles carried bysaid alternate rowswhile traversing the upper conveyor stretch, spraymeans cmqierable during the same conveyor cycle with the intermediatepocket rows during periods of rest of said conveyor Jfor deliveringrliquid against the interior of the bottles carried by said intermediaterows while traversingr another portion of the upper conveyor stretch,and means for actuating said conveyor to successively advance saidpockets by steps equal to twice the distance between successive rows soas to subject the bottles to initial soaking, to the action oi' saidbrush means, to final soaking, and to the action ot' said spray means.

In testimony whereot'` the signatures of the inventors are aflixedhereto.

ARCHIE E. LADEVIG.

GEORGE F. SOELCH.

